Directions

1.

Add barley to a medium saucepan. Cover with 6 cups of water. Add 1 teaspoon salt and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce to a simmer and cook until barley is just tender, about 30 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

2.

While barley cooks, place carrots in a large saucepan or skillet. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt, sugar, 1 tablespoon butter, and orange juice and zest. Add enough water cover by 1/2-inch. Set over high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce to a rapid simmer and cook, shaking pan occasionally, until carrots are completely tender and liquid has reduced to a saucy glaze, about 20 minutes. Season to taste with more salt and remove from heat.

3.

Drain barley well. Heat remaining tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high until foaming subsides. Add ramps and cook, stirring constantly until fragrant and lightly tenderized, about 1 1/2 minutes. Add spinach and 2 tablespoons water. Cook, stirring constantly until spinach is wilted. Add barley and toss to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

4.

To serve, transfer barley to a large plate. Reheat carrots, adding a tablespoon of water if sauce has broken and swirling until it comes together. Season carrots to taste with salt and pepper. Add parsley and toss to combine. Pour carrots and sauce over barley. Sprinkle with toasted almonds and drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil. Serve immediately.

J. Kenji López-Alt is the Managing Culinary Director of Serious Eats, and author of the James Beard Award-nominated column The Food Lab, where he unravels the science of home cooking. A restaurant-trained chef and former Editor at Cook's Illustrated magazine, his first book, The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science is a New York Times Best-Seller, the recipient of a James Beard Award, and was named Cookbook of the Year in 2015 by the International Association of Culinary Professionals.

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